Laboratory preparation of ethoxy ethane form ethanol

Laboratory preparation of ethoxy ethane involves heating of excess of primary alcohol with concentrated sulphuric acid at 413 K to get symmetrical ether.

The formation of reaction product, alkene or ether depends on the reaction conditions.

In this reaction alcohol has to be used in excess and the temperature has to be maintained around 413 K. If alcohol is not used in excess or the temperature is higher, the alcohol will preferably undergo dehydration to yield alkene.

If ethanol is dehydrated to ethene in presence of sulphuric acid at

433 K but as 410 K ethoxyethane is the main product.